£4.5million investment will see green trains running on Grand Central’s Sunderland’s rail link to London

WEARSIDE’s link to London is going green as part of a massive investment by city transport giant Arriva.

The Doxford International-based group is set to invest £4.5million to install eco-technology in more than 580 cabs from 15 train fleets nationwide, including its Grand Central service between Sunderland and the capital.

The Energymiser Driver Advisory System, produced by TTG Transportation Technology, is an on-board computer screen which provides drivers with real-time route information on running times and offers guidance on speeds to help drivers stick to timetables while saving fuel.

Arriva says it will help drivers deliver smoother, more efficient journeys for while cutting fuel consumption by up to 15 per cent and lowering emissions.

The company’s UK rail businesses operate more than 1.2million services and deliver more than 245 million passenger journeys a year.

Steve Murphy, chief operating officer at Arriva UK Trains, said: “This technology is a major investment that will support our drivers every day out on the UK’s rail network.

“It will provide them with the information they need to help maximise train performance for our customers and reduce fuel consumption and emissions to make rail travel more eco-friendly.”

The technology also has the potential to tie in with rail infrastructure in the future, allowing live updates about network conditions, speed restrictions or disruption.

Arriva also has an option to extend the technology to its joint venture business London Overground Rail Operations. A similar system for electric trains is already in use at Arriva’s Tyne and Wear Metro operations.

“We will be working closely with Arriva UK Trains and its fleet maintenance facilities to introduce Energymiser DAS so our technology can deliver its full potential for Arriva’s passengers, drivers and operations.”